Assistant trainer 'making good progress' from near-death gallops accident

Assistant trainer Adrian Grain is "making good progress" and has regained some movement in his arms and a leg after the gallops accident that nearly killed him last October.

He has been buoyed by a visit from Spirittappergoode, his favourite horse, to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough, where he has been since a horse fell on his head and crushed his throat, breaking four vertebrae in his neck.

The freak accident at the Malton yard he shares with long-term partner Mark Weatherer left those closest to him fearing he would not survive.

But Grain, 69, was well enough to record a video message for new year, albeit he was struggling for breath as he spoke, and said: "Everybody around me is telling me I am making good progress, although from where I am it doesn't necessarily feel as though I am.

Adrian Grain: 'It's just so nice to be able to take a little sip out of the cup of human kindness'Credit: Jessica Harper

"I'm managing to move my arms a bit now and my wrists, there's still a bit of a problem with my fingers so unfortunately I have to rely on others to give me something to eat and drink. But nevertheless we are getting along reasonably okay and I've managed to move my right leg a little bit and the doctors seem reasonably pleased with my progress.

"It does get a little bit wearying sometimes but we keep on going. I do tell the physio people not to spare me because I desperately want to get as well as I possibly can so I can get out and see you all again."

Adrian Grain in action at Cartmel before his accidentCredit: Karen Woods

When it was clear he had suffered life-changing injuries, a Gofundme page was set up to help with his future needs. It has raised more than £10,000 and Grain is grateful for the support.

"I've got to say a big thank you to all the people who have made a financial contribution, which I've found particularly overwhelming and I'm incredibly grateful," he said. "It's just so nice to be able to take a little sip out of the cup of human kindness.

"In situations like this there are people that would be like rats deserting a sinking ship and fortunately for Mark and I that isn't the case because everybody seems to be doing completely the opposite, they're all rallying round and helping to keep the ship afloat.

"I try to keep that in my mind's eye because I need to have something to focus on for when in the fullness of time I manage to get out of hospital as able bodied as I possibly can."

Donations can be made here.

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Assistant trainer suffers life-changing injuries in freak gallops accident